Overview
- Hopp opened the evening session against England’s Martin Lukeman and won the first set 3–0, firing multiple 180s, according to live coverage.
- The draw pairs the winner with Luke Woodhouse in the next round, adding immediate stakes to Hopp’s first match back at Alexandra Palace.
- Hopp lost his PDC Tour Card at the end of 2022 but reclaimed it this year and booked his place at the Worlds through improved ProTour results.
- Pre-match assessments cast Hopp as a slight favorite based on Lukeman’s comparatively weaker 2025 form, though rankings still favor the Englishman.
- Signaling a fresh chapter, Hopp unveiled a light-blue World Championship shirt on Instagram ahead of his stage return.